Nothing but cupcakes (except for the Reds at the end) for the last 19 games. There is no reason they shouldn't go 14-5 while also getting their guys plenty of rest.

I don't think they care about that home field advantage race with the Astros. It's obvious Larussa doesn't and I think I will defer to his knowledge in preparing teams for a playoff run.

These next couple of weeks should really be a snooze with no real relation to how they will play come playoff time. Restore optimal health, especially with Anderson and the pitchers. Nothing over 6 innings in any start. Put the relievers in playoff type roles. Line up the starters. Tell Eloy to take no risks on defense.

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O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.

The playoffs cannot get here fast enough. Should be exicting.

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Hawaii (fuck) You

They should care about homefield considering their home and road splits. The team likes to coast. They did the same thing last year. Hopefully they can turn it on in the playoffs.

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Why are only 14 percent of black CPS 11th-graders proficient in English?

That was my thought as well. But I guess I trust LaRussa more than I did Ricky.

Hopefully it works out.

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Tony had no problem winning a WS in 2006 with the 3rd seed so I'll let him do his thing.

He knows the most important thing right now is health so let other teams breakdown.

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“When I walked in this morning, and saw the flag was at half mast, I thought 'alright another bureaucrat ate it.'" - Ron Swanson

I agree that they should care. It's apparent they don't.

They win that Oakland series last year if they have the pitching they do today.

Get Tim back. Get Engel back. Play plenty of games with that complete roster. Clear the benches for day games after night games. I'll amend my pitching suggestion to say no more than five innings for anyone per start and Reynaldo Lopez should be a sixth starter.

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O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.

None of the hitters should start more than 14 of these 19 games. Only start the full playoff lineup in the first game of each series, then rotate some rest for games 2 and 3, except for the Reds, knock those fuckers out.

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"When people want their version of the truth, they go find it, no matter how baseless their beliefs." -- Ken Rosenthal

Disagree, Chet. I would start your playoff lineup the final 4 games or so of the season, then rest guys as needed on Saturday and Sunday. Let Keuchel start on Friday Oct 1 against Detroit, then use him again on the final game of the season in relief. Even if he gives up 10 runs, who cares.

Agree with mostly everything else posted here. Sox need homefield against Houston I think. If not, that game 1 becomes a must win for them.

I would get Collins back as a 3rd catcher for the final 7-10 days of the season to ensure Grandal's knee is as good as it can be come the ALDS.

Every time Eloy leaves his feet on field unless he's sliding into a base, $25,000 fine.

Do we think they clinch in Texas or Cleveland? They play back to back doubleheaders in Cleveland next week. The way the season has gone, they will probably clinch in game 1, and have to put off the champagne celebration until after game 2

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I would go Lynn, Rodon, Giolito in the playoffs with Cease as the if needed spot starter. If you can get six innings out of the starters they should be in good shape.

Anderson needs to be healthy. I don't trust the offense without him going well.

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Why are only 14 percent of black CPS 11th-graders proficient in English?

Collins up and Zavala down is a little odd, but I guess they're trying to preserve Collins' last option.

Vaughn is hopefully just a break to get him right.

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You absolutely must get Lynn on extended rest for that first game. He has an incredible record with extended rest. Even this year, he's pitched great in the first game coming off a longer break. I also don't think you can pitch him on short rest no matter the circumstances.

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O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.

Rodon as well. Neither should pitch the last series against Detroit.

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My mistake, I thought the last series was against the Reds, not the Tigers.

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"When people want their version of the truth, they go find it, no matter how baseless their beliefs." -- Ken Rosenthal

Yup. Tues-Weds vs Reds, off day Thurs, Fri-Sat-Sun vs Tigers.

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The other pitching parameters I would create is that Giolito is lined up to get whatever is the first night game and that Cease is at home

It really is pretty logical to go

Lynn
Rodon
Giolito
Cease

I think that sets up for Lynn to come back in a game 5 on regular or extended rest. Hope that Game 4 is not an elimination game for the Sox but Cease was really good in his playoff relief appearance last year.

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O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.

I think they win the WC series and the ALDS last year if LaRussa is at the helm instead of Ricky. I don't think Oakland would have won game 2, much less game 3 if that were the case.

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Huh
They win game two if Keuchel doesn’t suck. Hope Wheeler loves Philadelphia living and missing the playoffs.

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Why are only 14 percent of black CPS 11th-graders proficient in English?

Ricky blew that game. .No doubt in my fucking mind. It still infuriates me

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"Yes, I would just like to say I'm sailing with the rock, and I'll be back, like Independence Day, with Jesus. June 6, like the movie. Big mother ship and all, I'll be back, I'll be back."

My heart stopped for a minute after Eloy caught that.

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And then didn't get up.

Peace sign was pretty sweet.

TLR probably needed the defibralator.

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Sheets anihilated that pitch.

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I just read that LaRussa ordered him not to turn around in the outfield again. LaRussa said, "He laughed. He thinks I'm kidding. I'm not kidding. We're gonna play him deep and if anything drops in front of him, it does."

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Anybody here seen my old friend Bobby?
Can you tell me where he's gone?
I thought I saw him walkin' up to The Hill
With Elon, Tulsi, and Don

The El Caballo defense. Heels on the warning track

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O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.

I think Sheets has played himself onto the playoff roster and will DH against righties while Vaughn gets lefties. Eloy and Engel get OF positions

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O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.

I am fine with this. I just do not want to see Goodwin.

Goodwin serves no purpose if Engel is healthy.

I think some people are deluded into thinking he is a better defensive alternative than he is because he is fast. He is no better than Vaughn and Sheets. Obviously no one is in the same category as Engel, except for Robert.

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O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.

Hamilton isn't too bad out there and his speed can cover a lot of sins.

I wonder what they're going to do at catcher for the playoffs. I think it's safe to say that barring a disaster Grandal will catch almost every postseason inning. That being the case, does it make more sense to have Collins's slightly more useful bat off the bench than keeping defensive specialist Zavala?

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Anybody here seen my old friend Bobby?
Can you tell me where he's gone?
I thought I saw him walkin' up to The Hill
With Elon, Tulsi, and Don

Zavala isn't even that good defensively. We got the best out of him with the 3 HR game and a couple of timely hits. Other than that, he doesn't have a rosterable skill.

Hamilton is kind of a perfect last man on the bench of a playoff team. He is good defensively and has a niche skill on the bases. Any time Eloy gets on in the 7th or later, Hamilton runs for him and plays defense (hoping to never see him bat).

That should be a lock down OF in late innings.

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O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.

I think that any catcher the Sox currently have is subpar or worse behind the plate.

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